Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 24,245, Jacob French, Mass

SERVICE
Mass
French, Jacob Mary
NUMBER
W 24.245
B.L.Wt. 957-100
CONTENTS

Maine - 2,383
Mary French widow of Jacob French
who was a pensioner under the Act of and who died on the 5 th April 1819 of Franklin in the State of Maine who was a P er in the County commanded by Captain Marshall of the Reg t commanded by B er in the M ap line for 2 years
Inscribed on the Roll of Maine at the rate of 80 Dollars - Cents per annum, to commence on the 4 th day of March, 1836.
Certificate of Pension issued the 16 th day of Apr. 39, as sent to James Starr, Esq., Maine
Arrears to the 4 th of March - $ 240.00 Semi-annual allowance ending 40.00 $ 280.00
{ Act July 7, } 1838.
Recorded by R. Burdick Clerk Book A Vol. 1 - Page 9 -

(—957—)
The heirs of Jacob French private —
1 st Regt. Mass. line —
Warrant ipd. January 27-1821
Hon James Parker

State of Maine
Franklin County ss.
On this twenty sixth day of October A. D. 1830, Personally appeared before me Thomas Parker Judge of the Court of Probate for said County, Mary French of Jay in said County of Franklin aged eighty years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to attain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7. 1830 entitled "An act granting half pay and pensions to certain widows;" that she is the widow of Jacob French late of said Jay deceased, who was a private in the army of the Revolution; that she always understood from her husband that he served in the army during the Revolutionary war, that she has heard him say, that his last enlistment was for during the war in a company she thinks that was commanded by Capt. Marshall or the Regiment in which he served a part of the time  commanded was, by Col. Marshall, and she believes it to be in the 4 th Company, Tenth Regiment of Massachusetts Line, she has heard him speak of being in Col. Joseph Vose's Regiment. That he had his discharge for many years after they were married which she has seen, but cannot positively remember the name of the Officer that signed it, but the impression on her mind is that it was Joseph Vose, but it is not to be found; she has often heard her husband speak of Joseph Winter a Revolutionary pensioner being with him in the service under his last enlistment either in the Company or Regiment, and she has often heard them converse together upon the subject of their Revolutionary services. She cannot state the time when her husband entered into the service in either of his enlistments which she understood to be two or more, nor when he was discharged, but believes he served during the whole war, and under his last enlistment, which she has endeavored to describe, about four years. She is unable to state where he resided at either of the times of his enlistment, but believes his residence was in Salisbury when he entered one of his services; he was born in the Town of Hampton Falls in the State of New Hampshire he left his Father before the war commenced and did not return until it ceased. That she has heard her husband speak of his being in the Bunkerhill Battle, of services he performed in the Army at Piconderoga in the State of New York, and in that region of country

where he was taken by the Indians and held a prisoner by them between one and two months, then made his escape and joined the army again, that he received a wound by their Tomahawk in his left wrist in the fight when he was captured, the scar of which remained to his death. that he was in the battle at the taking of Borneau, of his marches and encampments through the state of New York and that section of country, but she cannot describe the particular time and place thereof. — For Proof of his services she refers to the Roll of the fourth company in the tenth Regiment, commanded as she believes by Col Marshall and to the Roll of Joseph Rose Regiment in the year 1783, which are on the Mss. Archives Rolls in the War Department, also to the Depositions of Isaac West and the Rev Joseph Adams accompanying this declaration, and likewise to the evidence furnished by Joseph Winter on his original application for a Pension, whose Certificate of Pension was dated May, the 12 1818, for the company and Regiment to which her said husband at or about the time he was last discharged from the Army. — She does not know where she can obtain any further evidence to prove his services then is here stated and referred to. — Mary her French mark
She further declares that she was married to the said Jacob French on the sixteenth day of April in the year seventeen hundred and eighty seven; that her husband the said Jacob French died on the fifteenth day of April 1819; that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but the marriage took place previous to the first day of January seventeen hundred and ninety four viz: at the time above stated
Mary her French mark Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year first written.
Before Thomas Parker Judge of Probate Franklin County
And I the said Judge do hereby certify that the said Mary French by reason of bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court personally
Thomas Parker Judge of Probate State of Maine.
Franklin County ss. I the Subscriber Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, hereby certify that Thomas Parker, before whom

whom the forsoing proceedings were had, is Judge of the Court of Probate aforesaid, I also certify that the forsoing contains the original proceedings of said Judge in the matter of the application of Mary French for a pension - and I further certify that Aruna Holmes whose proper signature is affixed to the affidavits of the Rev. Joseph Adams, and Isaac West, both of which are herunto annexed, is a Justice of the Peace within & for said County, duly appointed and qualified, and that full faith and credit are due to his acts as such. — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this twenty fourth day of November the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty eight.
Holmes A. Boardman Register

Extract of the record of the town of Hampton Falls.
"Jacob Hauck and Mary Swain both of Hampton Falls were married April the sixteenth in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty seven.
By me Samuel Langdon, Minister of Hampton Falls
I Jeremiah Godfrey, hereby certify that the above is a true extract from the record of marriages now in my possession and is a part of the list of marriages by the Rev. Samuel Langdon with the exception of the date which is expressed in fair legible figures as follows. April 16 1787. Jeremiah Godfrey (Clerk of the town of Hampton Falls)
I Jeremiah Godfrey above named depose and say that I held the office of town clerk, of the town of Hampton Falls, in the County of Rockingham, State of New Hampshire and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town with the exception above named, as certified by me
Jeremiah Godfrey, Clerk of the town of Hampton Falls
State of New Hampshire Rockingham County ss.
Sworn to and subscribed, this thirtieth day of October 1830 Before me Francis D. Randall Justice of the Peace
State of New Hampshire
Rockingham ss. I John Kelly Register of the Court of Probate for said County do hereby certify that Francis D. Randall Esquire is a Justice of the Peace for said County and that the foregoing signature purporting to be his is genuine and in his own proper hand writing
For testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of said Court this 30th day of October A.D. 1830
John Kelly Register of Probate

I Joseph Adams, a Clergyman, residing in the Town of Jay, County of Franklin and State of Maine, hereby certify that I came into Jay to live in 1795 and have remained there till this time, that I found Jacob French living in Jay when I first came, and he continued to live as near neighbour, and in the house with me, from the time of my coming into Jay till his death, which was in the spring of 1819. That from my first acquaintance with him until his death he frequently told me of his being a Revolutionary soldier, and that he was a daring war man, and that he was in the service  served during the whole war. I have often heard him speak of the battles he was in, the country through which he marched, and the officers under whom he served, but such length of time has elapsed since I have thought of the subject of his services as related to me by him that I cannot state the particular battles he was in or the part of the country through which he marched, only I perfectly remember of his stating that he was taken prisoner by the Indians some where near Siconderaga and how they used him and by what means he his escape from them; I feel confident that I have heard him say he was in Col Joseph Patten's Regiment and often heard him speak of Col Marshall. I have often heard Joseph Denter a Revolutionary Pensioner now deceased speak of being in the service with said Jacob French. That it was common belief by the people in Jay that he said French that he was a soldier of the Revolution and that he was in the service the most part of the war and I have no doubt on my mind but that was the case.
Joseph Adams
State of Maine
Franklin County ss. On this twenty fourth day of October in the year of our Lord 1830, Before me Aruna Holmes a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, personally appeared the Rev. Joseph Adams and made oath according to law, that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my presence, is wholly true.
Aruna Holmes Justice of the Peace

I Isaac West of Jay in the County of Franklin, State of Maine do testify and say that I was a Revolutionary Soldier and was in the service about seven years, that while in said service in 1782 according to my best recollection, at a place where the regiment I was in were stationed at a place call d Snake Hill in the state of New York, where we remained through the winter, I became acquainted with Jacob French, late of said Jay deceased, he was then a soldier in a company commanded by a Captain Marshall while we were there some Regiments were broken up and companies were shifted into other regiments, Captain Marshall company came into the Col. Joseph Vose Regiment in which I then belonged, and said Jacob French remained in that regiment with me until he was discharged in 1783, he was a during war s man. I came into the Town of Jay to live in the fall of the year 1800, where I found the same Jacob French was living, and he remained in this Town until he died which was about nineteen years ago. I have often heard him relate the circumstance of his being taken by the Indians during his services in that war and how they used him, and the manner in which he made his escape from them. I further testify that Joseph Winter a Revolutionary Pensioner, late of Eastport in the County of Oxford and said state of Maine, deceased, was a musician in the same company that Jacob French was in, and I there first became acquainted with Winter, he came into Jay to live soon after I did, and I ever knew him after seeing him in the army until his death.
Isaac West
State of Maine
Franklin County ss. On this twenty fifth day of October in the year of our Lord 1830, Personally appeared before me Aruna Holmes a Justice of the Peace in and for said County. Isaac West and made oath in according to law, that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed in my presence at the same time, is wholly true, and I hereby certify that I am personally acquainted with the above

than named Israelite and that he is a man of truth and morality. Aruna Holmes Justice of the Peace

Wills of Jacob French
claim good
certificate of birth
Waring
1895
Sworn and subscribed before me, this day of July A. D. 18 95 And I hereby certify the above deponent is opinion a credible witness
John Clark justice of the peace
STATE OF
COUNTY, ss.
} I

for 10 250 94 for 29.098
KNOW all Men by these Presents, That  I Hannah French of Jay in the County of Oxford, State of Maine, singlewoman, daughter and one of the Heirs at Law of Jacob French late of Jay in the County of Oxford & State of Maine
have made, constituted and appointed, and by these presents do make, constitute and ap- point William Clark of the town of Gardiner in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine my legal representative and lawful attorney, for me and in my name and behalf, to demand and receive of and from the proper officer of the United States, or such other person as may be duly authorised by them to which I am entitled by virtue of the several Acts of Congress for the services of my father Jacob French late of Jay in the County of Oxford in the Revolutionary War.
And the said William Clark is hereby authorised and di- rected to execute in my name and behalf the proper receipt and legitimate acquittance for the same, and all other writings, necessary in my name, to make, do, seal and execute in as ample and complete a manner to all intents and purposes as I might or could do were I per- sonally present at the doing thereof.—And one or more attorneys or substitutes under him to duly make and appoint, and at pleasure revoke their powers; and whatsoever my said attorney or his substitutes may lawfully do in the
premises by virtue of the power herein contained I hereby irrevocably ratify and confirm. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this Nineteenth day of July A. D. 1820 In presence of
William Clark
Hannah French
STATE OF Maine COUNTY OF Kennebec ss. } PERSONALLY APPEARED Hannah French to me well known, and made oath in due form of law, that she is the same person described in and who executed the above power of attorney, and the same is his free, voluntary act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned.
Sworn and subscribed before me, this Nineteenth day of July A. D. 1820 Wm Clark J. Jus. of the Peace
Hannah French
STATE OF Maine COUNTY, ss. } PERSONALLY APPEARED Samuel Park and William Clark and being duly sworn according to law, do-depose and say, that they and each of them are personally acquainted with Hannah French who has executed the above power of attorney, and well know her to be the person described therein.
Sworn and subscribed before me, this Nineteenth day of July A. D. 1820 and I hereby certify that the above deponents are in my opinion credible witnesses. Wm Clark J. Jus. of the Peace
Samuel Park

STATE OF Maine
Kennebec COUNTY, ss. }
BE IT REMEMBERED, That on this Nineteenth
day of July one thousand eight hundred and twenty before
me William Clark one of the Justices of the Peace in and
for said County, personally appeared Hannah French, single woman who, subscribed and sealed the within power and made solemn oath in due form of law that she is a daughter of Jacob French within named late of Gray in the County of Oxford deceased, that she is twenty seven years of age and a citizen of the United States, that according to the best of her knowledge & belief, her Father, Jacob French , did enlist in the year one thousand seven hundred and 81 in the army of the Revolution, against the common enemy of his Country, for the term of 90 days during the War and served in the Company commanded by Capt Christopher Marshall and in Regiment No 10 under command of Col Charles Marshall of the Massachusetts Line: and that he continued in the service aforesaid until the close of the War in seventeen hundred and eighty three, when he was regularly discharged from the Regiment, commanded by Colonel Noble , as she has been informed.
Hannah French
Sworn and subscribed before me, this Nineteenth day of July A. D. 18 20 And I hereby certify the above deponent is in my opinion a credible witness
Wm Clark Justice of the Peace
Wm of Great Falls Maine unofficial Noble 957
STATE OF
COUNTY, ss. }
I
do hereby certify that before whom and at the time when the within acknowledgements and affidavits were made, was a duly qualified for that purpose, acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereunto subscribed, is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
this day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

Rev WIDOW, &c.  Rev
File No. 24245
Mary French wid of Jacob French Dis Mass Line
Act July 7 th 38
Index : Vol A , Page 255
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Fayette Dec 3
for
J. L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions, War Department,
City Washington D. C.

Payette Dec 11 1830
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Dear Sir
I here send you the Declaration of Mary French for the purpose of obtaining a Pension under the act of Congress of the 7 th of last July. Such length of time having elapsed since the Revolutionary war, that it is with great difficulty, and in some cases impossible to obtain that testimony which is desirable to establish facts as to services performed. Jacob French who was the husband of the applicant, was sick & helpless for a considerable length of time before he died on the 5 th of April 1819, was the reason why of his not applying for a Pension under the act of March 18 1818. It was his intention to have he recovered of his sickness at that time; I lived a near neighbor to him for nineteen years before his death, he has frequently related to me his revolutionary services and the hardships he there endured, which were great. I have no doubt, neither do I believe there is any person who was acquainted with him after the war, but what believed he was in the service about the whole continuance of the war. I presume his name is on the Massa- chusetts Rolls in the war Department. The testimony here sent is the best I have been able to obtain with that and by referring to the references made in her declaration especially to the evidence furnished by Joseph Wentworth on his original application for a Pension, will found in what Company & Regiment he rendered his last services, which I believe (if correctly informed) will

satisfactory with the other testimony to establish her claim, who is 80 years of age, poor and helpless, which will help her to means to be provided with some of the comforts of life, during the few remainder of her days; believing as I do she is justly entitled to that bounty granted by Government in like cases. After examining the papers & references put into the case, should any difficulty arise that will require further explanation or evidence before you can grant her a certificate for a Pension, I wish you would inform me of the same, before you decide against her that it may be removed if possible, but I hope and trust the evidence furnished will be sufficient —
With much respect
I am your Most
abt. Servt
James Parr agent for the applicant

Blanch French -
January 24/55
fr
ack
in is me.
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Comm te of Pensions.
Pension Office, War Dept.
City Washington D.C.

J. L. Edwards Esq r .
Jay Me. Apr. 5 th 1839
Dear Sir,
I sent to your Department the application of the widow Mary French, and also the widow Isabella Blithin, for pensions under the act of Congress of the 7 th of July last. I received your communication to the Hon V. D. Barris, then in Congress, that "that the claim of Mary French has not yet been registered. It will receive my attention in time, according to the order of the date of its reception" - also yours of the 15 th of Jan. past to Mr Barris, saying "that the claim of Mrs Blithin shall be taken up as soon as the pressure of business now before this office will permit" - not having heard anything relative to those claims since, I concluded it was possible you may have forwarded their certificates to me by mail, and that they have not arrived; I hope you will not consider by my writing that I think there has been any unnecessary delay in the dispo- sition, for I do not believe that to be the case, but the applicants feel great anxiety in the result, and are continually enquiring if I have not yet received their certificates, or heard from them. I wish you would be so good as to inform me by mail on the reception of this, when they will be likely to be decided if they are not, which will greatly oblige with great Respect I am your most ob st serv t
James Barr.

I Joseph Winter of Plantation No 4 in the County of Oxford and State of Maine of lawful age, do testify and say, that I was a soldier in the service of the United States in the Revolutionary War between Great Britain, that I enlisted during the war into Capt Marshals Company in the Tenth Regiment commanded by Col Pepper in the Massachusetts line. That I continued in said Peppers Regiment until the last year of the war, when I was transferred to the First West Regiment commanded by Col Acree & continued in his Regiment until the close of the war, and received my discharge near New Windsor in the State of New York . I further testify that when I entered said service Jacob French late of Jew deceased was a soldier in said Marshals Company, that he enlisted during the war and continued in the Company with me, until he was honorably discharged at the close of the war.  June A.D. 1783 _____ Joseph Winter mark
STATE OF Maine } August 7 A. D. 1820  Oxford - COUNTY, ss. } Personally appeared before me  Joseph Winter above described and made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is true; — and I hereby certify that the said Joseph Winter — is, in my opinion, a credible and disinterested witness.  James Parris Justice of the Peace  STATE OF _____ _____ COUNTY, ss. } I
do hereby certify that _____ before whom and at the time when the above acknowledgements and affidavits were made, was a _____ duly qualified for that purpose, acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereunto subscribed, is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed this _____ day of _____ in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and

Letter of Friendship Hannah French

State of Maine
County of Kennebec ss
The undersigned Judge of Probate within and for said County does hereby certify and make known that it has been satisfactorily made to appear to me that Hannah French of Jery in said State is the Daughter and one of the Heirs at law of Jacob French late of said Jery deceased and further that the said Hannah is now in full life and one of the lawful Heirs of said deceased and claims according to the laws of this State
Given under my hand and the Seal of our court of Probate the sixteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one
D. Stone Judge

I Zebulon True of Temple in the County of Kennebec and State of Maine of lawful age, do testify and say, that I was a Soldier in the Continental Service in the Revolutionary war between Great Britain and America in the years seventeen hundred and eighty two, and seventeen hundred and eighty three. That while I was in said Service I was acquainted with Jacob French, late of Jay in the County of Oxford deceased, that he was a Soldier in the Captain Christopher Marshalls Company in the Regiment commanded by Col. Tupper, that said French enlisted for during the war and continued in the Service until the close thereof and in June seventeen hundred and eighty three when those that were enlisted for during the war were discharged I understood that the said Jacob French was honorably discharged of which I have no doubt although I dont remember whether I saw said discharge or not - but I well know that he was said to be discharged and left the camp with others that were discharged near New Windsor in the State of New York at which time he belonged to Col. Sosey Regt being the last Regiment then in the field.  Lydia Eaton (Widow of Zebulon True)
STATE OF Maine
Zebulon True January 22 nd 1820 A. D. 1820
Kennebec COUNTY, ss. Personally appeared before me Zebulon True above described and made oath, that the above affidavit by him subscribed, is true; - and I hereby certify that the said Zebulon True is, in my opinion, a credible and disinterested witness.
Ebenezer Eaton Justice of the peace
STATE OF
COUNTY, ss. }
I
do hereby certify that before whom and at the time when the above acknowledgements and affidavits were made, was a duly qualified for that purpose, acting under the authority of this State, and that his name thereunto subscribed, is his own proper signature. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed this day of in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and